LeBron James changed representatives this week — going from CAA to longtime friend Rich Paul — and according to a profile of Paul on Sheridan Hoops, the new rep has told folks in Cleveland that James re-joining the Cavaliers at some point in the future isn’t out of the question: “For his part, Paul has largely been above the fray during James’ trials and tribulations over the past two years. A friend of James since he was at St. Vincent-St. Mary’s High School in Akron, Paul is one of the R’s in LRMR, James’ management and marketing group. While others around James opted to be reliant on him for income and opportunities, Paul chose a different path. Paul came from humble beginnings at Cleveland Benedictine, where he was a standout basketball player and played AAU locally. Several years older than James, Paul often has been a big brother to The King, giving him the most honest and thoughtful advice in his circle. It was Paul who urged James to not go through with ‘The Decision’ out of concern for the damage James might do to his brand and reputation. When Maverick Carter staged a coup to consolidate power in James’ decision-making circle, Paul left to join CAA and make his own path. […] On the night of ‘The Decision,’ when most of James’ circle and handlers were busy with the production side and other image-related concerns, it was Paul who contacted the Cavaliers and owner Dan Gilbert to inform them that James would be leaving for the Heat. Sources in Cleveland say that Paul always was and has been the most respected member of James’ circle, and that his conduct that night further endeared him to Gilbert and the Cavs. While Gilbert’s late night e-mail rant was vindictive, he never cut off Paul – and that was evidenced when the Cavs selected Tristan Thompson with the fourth pick in the 2011 draft over Jonas Valanciunas. Interestingly, Valanciunas is repped by Rose, while Thompson was repped by Paul. […] While Paul’s new venture is just beginning, there is no doubt he is well on his way to building a successful stable. Moreover, with the summer of 2014 looming large for many NBA teams, – and considering James, with an ETO in 2014 and an opt-out in 2015, could headline an outstanding free agent class – Paul will be in great position to get a max long-term deal for his friend. While James’ decision is two years old, Paul has urged many in Cleveland and around the NBA not to rule out a return to the Cavaliers for LeBron. Paul, who lives in the Cleveland suburbs, has long said that a reunion can happen.”

For the second time in his career, LeBron James is changing his business representative, and turning over more of his off-the-court initiatives to his closest friends.

The news broke that LeBron is moving on from the powerful Creative Artists Agency (where he was represented by agents Leon Rose and William “Worldwide Wes” Wesley), and taking his talents over to longtime buddy Rich Paul.

James signed with Rose in 2005, with Rose then joining CAA in 2007. The CAA link was cited among the factors that brought the three stars together during 2010 free agency, when James left the Cleveland Cavaliers and Bosh left the Toronto Raptors to join Wade with the Heat. James already had a working relationship with Paul under the umbrella of their LRMR Marketing company, a collaboration that also includes James’ manager Maverick Carter and friend Randy Mims, who has emerged as a member of the Heat’s traveling party. Through that association, James branched into an international marketing deal with the Fenway Sports Group, leading to his stake in Premier League soccer power Liverpool FC.

While agency switches are not uncommon, with James having previously left the representation of agent Aaron Goodwin, they generally tend to have the greatest impact with the expiration of contracts. While James is under contract to the Heat through 2015-16, he has an early-termination option in his contract for the 2014 offseason and a player opt-out clause for the 2015 offseason. A new agency only would collect on a new contract. The source close to James said the 2014 opt-out clause was not a consideration in the move and the impending agency switch should not be taken as the precursor to an eventual opt-out by the 2012 NBA Most Valuable Player.

When LeBron James fired his first agent back in 2005, the decision was met with widespread criticism, but James’ business has continued to thrive over the years.

Going forward, it will be interesting to see which players jump ship from the bigger agencies and elect to join LeBron’s crew.